Administrative Data Census: annual assessments

Latest – 23 July 2018:

This report describes what we mean by an Administrative Data Census, highlighting the main challenges and how to address them. This report is the third assessment, using a set of evaluation criteria, of how we’ve progressed on our Administrative Data Census project.

Background

Decision-makers (central and local government, businesses, charities, community groups and citizens) increasingly need better local data on the size and characteristics of their population to build better services such as transport links, schools, hospitals and housing.

In 2021, we’ll continue to meet this through the census. However, as the pace of change is increasing, decision-makers need this information much more frequently than every 10 years.

We’ve described the work to meet the need for more frequent information as an Administrative Data Census. Until now we’ve largely focused on the ability of administrative data and surveys to provide the information traditionally collected through questions on the decennial census. However, integrating data from a range of sources offers much wider potential to improve statistics on a variety of topics. These topics include:

fuel poverty

mental health

debt

crime

inequalities

ageing

migration

housing affordability and provision

The assessment presented here uses the same criteria and scope as those for 2016 and 2017 in terms of our ability to move towards an Administrative Data Census. We will be reviewing the structure of this assessment and the criteria in the coming year given the wider opportunities from integrating data.

What this report covers

This is our third assessment of our progress on the Administrative Data Census project. The assessment is made against five main criteria: